On Friday, October 18, 2024, the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar issued a report of findings and order removing Melanie A. Allen, Esq. from the state’s Guardian ad Litem roster.
The case is entitled “Guardian Ad Litem Board v. Melanie A. Allen, Esq.,” with case no. GAL# 23-577.
The report stemmed from disciplinary charges brought against Allen for violations of the Maine Rules for Guardians ad Litem. As a guardian ad litem (GAL) in Maine, Allen was required to comply with reporting and disclosure requirements outlined in the rules.
The charges against Allen began in August 2022 when she received a sua sponte complaint from the Bar Counsel to the Board of Overseers of the Ba alleging violations of the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct. Allen responded to the initial charges promptly. However, in January 2023, the bar counsel filed formal disciplinary charges against Allen.
Per the rules, Allen had a duty to report the filing and outcome of the disciplinary charges to the courts and parties involved in any cases where she served as a GAL. She was also required to provide this notification to the GAL Review Board. Although Allen was aware of this duty, she failed to properly notify anyone.
Over the next year and a half, the GAL Review Board made multiple attempts to get Allen to verify her compliance with the reporting requirements. This included letters, phone calls, and an investigation. Allen failed to respond to a lawful demand from a disciplinary authority or provide the requested documents. She also failed to respond to the sua sponte complaint filed against her in November 2023 regarding this issue.
As a result, the Review Board found Allen in violation of rules surrounding conflicts of interest and mandatory disclosure, responding to lawful demands, and compliance with reporting duties. Her repeated failure to notify courts and parties or cooperate with the investigation process resulted in Allen’s removal from the GAL roster by the Review Board.
In its decision, the Review Board emphasized the importance of GALs providing accurate information to courts and parties. Allen’s actions deprived them of knowing about her disciplinary situation. The Board also expressed concern her behavior could increase risks to children.
The Report of Findings and Order states:
“WHEREFORE, the Board determines that Guardian ad Litem Melanie Allen, Esq. has intentionally committed substantial violations of the Rules for Guardians ad Litem; that Guardian ad Litem Allen remains obligated to inform pertinent courts and parties of the disposition of these proceedings; and that GAL Allen is hereby removed from the Guardian ad Litem roster as provided under the Maine Rules for Guardians ad Litem.”
According to avvo.com, Ms. Allen is an attorney in Rumford, Maine. She acquired her law license in Maine in 2017.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
